Support means for expanded metal mesh



May 20, 1969 B. HEHN SUPPORT MEANS FOR EXPANDED METAL MESH Sheet I 01*2 Filed Dec. 26, 1967 N. 3 N Nu mm mm ,4 mm m QM E vm mm vm mm 4 mm mm mm N mm N mm mm mm INVENI'OR Bruce Hahn y 9 y B. HEHN 3,444,663

SUPPORT MEANS FOR EXPANDED METAL MESH Filed Dec. 26, 1967 Sheet 2 o! 2 u mvzmon 5 g 3 Bruce Hehn United States Patent 3,444,663 SUPPORT MEANS FOR EXPANDED METAL MESH Bruce Helm, St. Clairsville, Ohio, assignor to Wheeling Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 693,453 Int. Cl. 1304c /16, 3/22, 2/32 U.S. Cl. 52-650 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a support means for supporting and positioning expanded metal mesh.

Sheets of heavy expanded metal mesh or grids are used in certain types of wall, floor, and ceiling structures, hereinafter referred to as walls, for strengthening such walls. For example, the walls enveloping bank vaults are provided with heavy mesh. The mesh in bank walls renders these walls virtually burglar-proof since they are highly resistant to any kind of drilling or cutting. The mesh sheets are layered in a staggered pattern where the bridges of material of one sheet are disposed oppositely to the center of the openings of the adjacent sheet. The number of sheets used depends on the required wall thickness. After the sheets of mesh are properly positioned,

Various devices have been used to support and position the mesh sheets prior to pouring concrete. Most of the supports used were unstable due basically to the fact that they did not provide suflicient bearing surfaces for the mesh. Other support devices are complicated in struc ture, involving multiple separated parts. Yet others required that mesh material be cut and twisted for insertion into a receptacle portion of the support device. Thus, the support and positioning devices for mesh sheets were inefficient because they were either unstable, structurally complicated, or required an undesirable amount of time for manipulating them into position. Often the available supporting and positioning devices reflected all of the mentioned inefiicient characteristics.

I have overcome the drawbacks of the old mesh supporting and positioning devices by providing one which affords stable support of staggered mesh sheets, is structurally simple, and can be emplaced quickly and easily without the need of cutting and twisting the mesh material. The structure of the present invention preferably includes a base member adapted in shape to be snugly received in an opening in expanded metal mesh; a pair of spaced upright members fixed to the base member, with each of the upright members having a first foot member traversing the base member and fixed thereto, a pair of upright arm members fixed at one end thereof to and extending from the ends of the first foot member, and a second foot member fixed to and extending between the other ends of the arm members, with the second foot member being of a length suflicient to traverse any portion of an opening in expanded metal mesh.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

3,444,663 Patented May 20, 1969 "ice In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support and positioning means for expanded metal mesh of the present invention;

FIGURES 2a and 2b are broken perspective views of the same support and positioning means of FIGURE 1 showing such means in position between two sheets of expanded metal mesh;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIGURES 2a and 2b; and

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view partly in section of an arrangement of four sheets of mesh supported by the support and positioning means of the present invention in a staggered arrangement.

Referring now to the drawings in which 10 relates generally to a support and positioning means of use with expanded metal mesh 12 of the well-known heavy duty type used for reinforcing walls. Mesh 12 is, typically, the type which in expanded form has the uniformly arranged elongated diamond shaped openings 14 each being defined by four legs of metal 14a, 14b 14c and 14d, with the openings 14, as shown in FIGURE 3, being disposed in longitudinal columns and transverse rows with alternating openings 14 in both the columns and the rows being separated by a bridge of metal 16, referred to hereinafter as bridge 16.

Each support and positioning means 10 includes a base member 20 formed from a single length of metal rod into an elongated diamond shape generally conforming in outline to an individual opening 14 of mesh 12. A pair of identical, trapezoidal shaped upright members 22 is rigidly fixed to base member 20. The upright members 22 lie in generally vertical parallel planes disposed adjacent the longitudinal apexes of the base member 20. Each upright member 22 is formed from a single length of metal rod, preferably the same size as used to form base member 20, and includes a first foot member 24 extending transversely to base member 20 and rigidly fixed thereto as by welding, for example. As shown in FIGURE 2b, first foot member 24 extends traversely to the branches forming one half of base member 24 to an extent that it, the first foot member, bears on the legs 14a and 14b defining one half of an opening 14 in which base member 20 is placed and further extends to bear on the legs opposite legs 14a and 1412, respectively. Thus each first foot member 24 provides four bearing surfaces on a lower mesh 12. Accordingly, since there are two identical upright support members 22 a total of eight bearings are provided on lower mesh 12. Each upright member 22 is formed with a pair of upright arm members 26 and 28 converging toward each other and depending from the ends of first foot member 24. A depending second foot member 30 extends between the upper ends of arm members 26 and 28. Second foot member 30 is formed with an upwardly extending generally V-shaped central portion 32 thereby defining coaxial bearing surfaces 34 and 36 parallel to base member 24. An elongated brace member 38 is fixed to and extends between bearing surface 34 of one upright member 22 and hearing surface 36 of the other upright member 22. As shown in FIGURE 2a the horizontal length of second foot member 30 is such that bearing surface 34 engages leg 14c defining one half of an opening 14 While bearing surface 36 engages the other leg 14d defining the same half of an opening 14. Similarly, the bearing surfaces 34 and 36 of the second foot member 30 will engage legs 14a and 14b, respectively, defining the next longitudinal adjacent opening 14. Thus, the second foot member 30 of the upright members 22 will be separated by a bridge 16 of upper mesh 12. This is clearly shown in FIGURES 2a and 3.

The arm members 26 and 28 are given a length to provide the desired spacing between two sheets of mesh 12. The central portions 32 of the respective upright arm members 22, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4, protrude upwardly so that they are substantially flush with the plane of the upper surface of an upper mesh 12. By this relative position of the central portions 32 with the plane of the upper surface of an upper mesh 12, support and positioning means can be placed one above another without interfering with each other to form a desired staggered pattern of mesh sheets. This is shown in FIG- URE 4 where a first foot member 24 of an upper disposed support and positioning means 10 will lie slightly over the central portions 32 of the lower support and positioning means 10. The upright arm members 22 spaced so that a bridge 16 of the upper mesh 12 can be aligned above the center of an opening 14 of the lower mesh. This alignment is facilitated by the relative positions of the central portion 32 of the second foot members 30 of the respective upright arm members 22. That is, a bridge 16 of the upper mesh 12 can be guided towards the center point between the respective central portions 32 rather than using the center of an opening 14 in the lower mesh 12 as a guide point.

By emplacing the bridges 16 of the upper mesh 12 above the center point of the openings 14 of the lower mesh 12 a dense webbing of metal strands or legs is provided. This staggering is done alternately between any desired number of mesh 12 as typified in FIGURE 4 which shown four sheets of mesh 12 positioned preparatory to pouring concrete for forming a floor section. The lowermost mesh 12 of FIGURE 4 is supported on a concrete base form by a series of regularly spaced standard slab spacers 40.

The support and positioning means 10 of the present invention, as is readily understood, is held firmly in place on a sheet of mesh by virtue of the snug reception of the base member 20 in an opening 14 and by the provision of at least eight bearing surfaces between the upright members 22 and the lower mesh. The upper mesh rests securely on at least four bearing surfaces provided by the upright members 22 which straddle a bridge 16. More or less bearing surfaces can be provided as desired, within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, a support and positioning means 10 of this invention can be quickly and simply emplaced on a sheet of mesh and remain upright unassisted.

The number and frequency of placement of the support and positioning means 10 between alternate sheets of mesh can be readily varied to fit particular needs and requirements. The size, weight, configuration, and the like of the mesh being used would determine the number and placement of the support and positioning means 10 used.

The support and positioning means 10 of this invention can also be used for vertically disposed sheets of mesh. In such application it might be desirable, although not absolutely necessary, to wrap wire around the mesh and all or any of the base member 30, first foot members 24, and second foot members 30.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A support means for supporting and positioning sheets of expanded metal mesh, comprising: a base member adapted in shape to be snugly received in an opening in expanded metal mesh; a pair of spaced upright members fixed to said base member, with each of said upright members having a first foot member traversing said base member and fixed thereto; a pair of upright arm members fixed at one end thereof to and extending from the ends of said first foot member, and a second foot member fixed to and extending between the other ends of said arm members, with said second foot member being of a length snfficient to traverse any portion of an opening in expanded metal mesh.

2. A support means as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first foot member is of a length sufiicient to extend beyond either side of said base member a distance such as to traverse any portion of the openings in expanded metal mesh adjacent to the opening in which said base member is received.

3. A support means as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said upright member is trapezoidal in shape with said first foot member being longer in length than said second foot member.

4. A support means as set forth in claim 1 including an elongated brace member fixed to and extending between portions of said second foot members of said upright members.

5. A support means for supporting and positioning sheets of expanded metal mesh, comprising: a base member adapted in shape to be snugly received in an opening in expanded metal; a pair of generally trapezoidal shaped upright members lying in generally parallel planes spaced relative to said base member, each of said upright members having an elongated first foot member traversing and extending beyond a portion of said base member and fixed thereto; a pair of upright arm members fixed at one end thereof to and extending from the ends of said first foot member; an elongated second foot member shorter in length than said first foot member and fixed to and extending between the other ends of said arm members, with second foot member being of a length sufficient to traverse any portion of an opening in expanded metal mesh; each of said second foot members having a centrally disposed upright V-shaped portion; and an elongated brace member extending generally diagonally between and fixed to portions of said second foot members.

6. In combination with a plurality of sheets of expanded metal mesh lying in generally parallel spaced planes, each of said sheets having the characteristic uniformly arranged diamond shaped openings each being defined by four legs of metal with said openings being disposed in longitudinal columns and transverse rows with alternating openings in both the columns and the rows being separated by a bridge of metal, a plurality of support means for providing the generally parallel spacing of said sheets, each of said support means comprising: a base member formed in a generally diamond shape and adapted to be snugly received in one of said openings; a pair of upright members longitudinally spaced with respect to said base member, each of said upright members having a first foot member fixed to portions of transversely opposed branches of said base member and of a length sufiicient to bear on portions of each of the transversely opposed legs of metal defining one of said openings and at least on portions of each of the next transversely adjacent legs to said transversely opposed legs; a pair of upright opposed arm members extending from opposed ends of said first foot member to opposed ends of a second foot member, said arm members being of such length to define the desired spacing between alternate sheets of mesh; and said second foot member being of a length sufficient to bear portions of at least one pair of transversely opposed legs of metal defining one of said openings; and said upright members being so spaced that the bridges of material of one sheet of mesh are disposed oppositely to the centers of the diamond openings of an alternate sheet of mesh.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first foot member, said arm members and said second foot member are formed from a single piece of material to form one of said upright members.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upright members lie in generally parallel planes transversely spaced relative to said base member.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 6 including an elongated brace member extending between portions of said second foot members of said upright members.

10. In combination with a plurality of sheets of expanded metal mesh lying in generally parallel spaced planes, each of said sheets having the characteristic uniformly arranged diamond shaped openings, each being defined by four legs of metal with said openings being disposed in longitudinal columns and transverse rows with alternating openings in both the columns and the rows being separated by a bridge of metal; a plurality of support means for providing the generally parallel spacing of said sheets, each of said support means comprising: a base member formed in a generally diamond shape and adapted to be snugly received in one said openings such that the base member and the opening lie in a common plane; a pair of generally trapezoidal shaped upright members formed from a single piece of material and lying in generally parallel planes transversely spaced relative to said base member, each of said upright members having anelongated first foot member fixed to portions of transversely opposed branches of said base member and of a length suflicient to bear on portions of each of the transversely opposed legs of metal defining one of said openings and on portions of each of the next transversely adjacent legs to said transversely opposed legs; a pair of upright opposed arm members extending from opposed ends of said first foot member to opposed ends of a second foot member, said arm members being of such length to define the desired spacing between alternate sheets of mesh; said second foot member being of a length sufiicient to bear portions of One pair of transversely opposed legs of metal defining one of said openings, and said second foot member having a centrally disposed upright V-shaped portion; said upright members being so spaced that the bridges of material of one sheet of mesh are disposed oppositely to the centers of the diamond openings of an alternate sheet of mesh; and an elongated brace member extending generally diagonally between and fixed to portions of said second foot members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,132,735 3/1915 Schoenthaler 52686 1,510,516 10/1924 White 52689 X 1,567,211 12/1925 Tubbs 52650 X 1,773,918 8/1930 Mathews 52687 2,133,553 10/1938 Lord 52686 X 2,184,353 12/1939 Leary 52670 X 3,309,119 3/1967 Phillips 52670 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,056,810 5/1959 Germany. 1,134,817 8/1962 Germany.

294,036 4/1965 Netherlands.

ALFRED C. PERHAM, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52670, 688

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,444,663

May 20, 1969 Bruce Hehn It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1 line 36, after "positioned," form the walls Column 2, line 17, "01? should read for insert concrete is poured to Signed and sealed this 14th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

